JD’s Story

Site created on June 28, 2018


JD Eaves entered the world on St Patrick's Day, March 17, 2005.  At one day old, he was diagnosed with Tricuspid Atresia.  Tricuspid Atresia is a congenital heart defect where the tricuspid valve does not form and because of this, the right ventricle is very small and non functional.  This diagnosis plunged us head first into the world of congenital heart disease.  His only option for survival was a 3 stage surgical repair.  At 5 days old, he had the BT shunt surgery with the Glenn surgery soon to follow at 5 months old.  For 2 years he grew and lived as a normal baby.   At around 3 years of age, JD started to slow down.  It was time for the final stage of his repair, the Fontan.  We took a tired and blue toddler to Boston, MA and brought a pink and energetic toddler back home to Mississippi.   The improvement from this surgery was profound.  

For about 7-8 years, JD thrived.  He was slower than his peers and tired out quicker, but he lived as any other kid.  Then the O2 saturations gradually began to fall.  Post Fontan, his "sats" were in the normal range (95-100) and have gotten lower and lower in the past several years to now in the mid-high 60's.  After several caths, imagining, and many other exams, it was discovered JD has developed Pulmonary AVMs in his right lung.   

Today, at 13 years old, JD is very cyanotic (blue) and miserably tired all the time.  He will have his Fontan revised on July 30, 2018 in the hope that it will improve the "hepatic flow" and heal the Pulmonary AVMs.   The surgery will be performed by Dr. Brian Kogon at Blair Batsen Children's Hospital in Jackson, MS.  As much I hate for JD to go through a major surgery like this,  I am desperate for my son to feel good again.  I will update this page as often as I can while we go through this journey.  We are  fortunate to have so many friends and family who love JD and support all of us!!  Please lift JD up in prayer along with the surgeon and medical team that will care for him! 


"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." ~ Psalms 147:3

Newest Update

Journal entry by Natalie Young

We have made it to Jackson and got JD filled up with his favorite...Ichiban. Despite knowing what’s to come tomorrow, I have a sense of peace that we are doing what’s necessary to give JD the best quality of life possible. I have done this before. Seen all this before. But it’s different this time. JD doesn’t remember anything about his surgeries as a baby. It’s tough that he very much knows the reality of this situation. He’s a smart kid with access to google. 😬 He has the additional mental stress this time and I can’t imagine what’s going on in his mind.  Please continue to pray for strength for JD. He is such a trooper and pushes through all of it like a champ!

We have to be at the hospital at 5:30. Surgery should begin around 7:30 and will take approximately 4 to 5 hours. JD will be in the pediatric ICU (1 nurse per patient) for a couple days and then will move to a step down room (1 nurse per 3 patients) for the remainder of his stay which should be about a week. 

I wish I could say JD will wake up from this surgery feeling better immediately. But it will take a few months before we know if the surgery is working. I have faith that it will be a success! I desperately want my son to run and play and do things normal kids do that so many take for granted.

So I will once again give this situation to God and lay my burden at his feet. I pray that God devours JD with protection and guide the surgeon’s hands. I pray God gives me the strength to put my emotions to the side and focus on my purpose as his Mom and caretaker. 

Say a little prayer for my sweet Joy Paige too.  She and her brother fight constantly but her sweet little heart is worried about her brother. 

I am so humbled by the outpouring of love and generosity shown to JD and my family. I am so blessed to have so many friends and family that support and love us. We love you all and appreciate each and every gesture. 

I will update tomorrow as I know things.

Nat
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